Cohen in Olympic frame with stunning returna

Sasha Cohen made a stunning return after a three-year hiatus to sit second after the short program at the US figure skating nationals, putting her in contention for an Olympic spot.

Cohen, silver medallist at the Turin Olympics, had not skated competitively since a third place finish at the 2006 world championships but her comeback performance showed the time away had done nothing to dull her considerable charisma or artistry.

The 25-year-old skater’s much anticipated return to the ice overshadowed a brilliant short program from Mirai Nagasu.

The poised 16-year-old grabbed the lead with a mark of 70.06 to just hold off Cohen, who was welcomed back with a standing ovation and a score of 69.63.

“It was huge… it was wonderful to perform in front of a crowd I’m so excited,” Cohen said. “There’s definitely been attention and pressure… It’s fun.

“I’ve got a decade on everybody here. I was so happy just to be skating and competing, and I feel that I’ve overcome so many obstacles. It was a really special night for me. I would love to go to another Olympics but it’s an accomplishment just to be here.”

With only two Olympic spots on offer, Cohen was considered a long shot to grab a place on the team but now goes into Saturday’s free skate with a chance to book her ticket to next month’s Vancouver Winter Games and capture the women’s crown.

The battle for the two spots is shaping up as a three-way fight between Nagasu, Cohen and Rachael Flatt, who moved into contention with a score of 69.35 to leave less than a point separating the top three women.

Earlier, the dance competition opened with defending champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White taking a slim lead over rivals Olympic and world silver medallists Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto after the compulsories.

Davis and White, riding the momentum from a victory at the Grand Prix final, scored an American-record 45.42 in the Golden waltz to lead Belbin and Agosto by a wafer-thin 0.4 points going into Friday’s original dance.

With injuries having kept America’s two best dance pairs apart much of the last two seasons, the nationals is expected to provide the stage for the long awaited showdown between the former training partner.

Belbin and Agosto saw their run of five consecutive national titles come to an end last year when they were not able to defend their crown due to injury, allowing Davis and White to skate away with the championship.

The top three finishers after Saturday’s original dance all earn places on the US Olympic squad.

Figure Skating European Championships Tallinn

Free Dance – Friday 7.50pm on British Eurosport

Ladies Free Skate – Saturday 7pm on British Eurosport

Exhibition – Sunday 9.45pm on British Eurosport